New Perspective 25.04.2017

For the first time, FILMFEST HAMBURG would like to honour directors who work in other countries across national and cultural borders and create films with the Sichtwechsel Film Award, donated by the Federal Foreign Office

Both filmmakers who were forced to leave their home countries and also filmmakers, who for artistic or private reasons create films outside their home countries and feel that this new perspective brings enrichment to their artistic work, will be considered.

Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel explains: “The Sichtwechsel [change of perspective] Film Award honours films that encourage exactly this shift in perspective. It is particularly dedicated to those who were/are forced to continue their important artistic work in exile. It is far too often the case that filmmakers are only able to realise their ideas outside their home countries. We know of many world-class filmmakers in German history alone, who had to leave their home in order to be able to continue their work. It is therefore only right that today, it is we who offer persecuted filmmakers a home.”

A total of up to twelve films will be nominated from the programme across all sections. The award includes a prize of 10,000 euros and will be decided by an international jury. “Particularly in times of growing nationalism and separatist tendencies, we would like to use the award to highlight the cross-border power of film and film culture, and to honour directors who risk taking a different perspective and who are inspired by otherness, thereby enriching the film culture of their chosen home,” explains Filmfest Director Albert Wiederspiel.

Further awards from FILMFEST HAMBURG, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, include the Douglas Sirk Award, the Hamburger Producers’ Award for European Cinema Co-Productions, the Hamburger Producers’ Award for German Television Productions, the Commerzbank Audience Award, the Political Film of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, the Michel Award, the Art Cinema Award, the NDR Young Talent Award and the Hamburg Film Critic Award.

FILMFEST HAMBURG takes place from 5 – 14 October 2017. Over 120 films from all over the world will be shown as European, German or Hamburg premieres. The cinemas used for the festival are the Abaton, CinemaxX Dammtor, Metropolis, Passage and the Studio-Kino.